This article was contributed by JRG Attorneys at Law.
Partners at Johnson, Rovella, Retterer, Rosenthal and Gilles, LLP (JRG) have announced the addition of Stephan A. Barber as Partner and Director of Litigation at JRG.
Before joining JRG, Barber practiced for over 30 years as a senior partner in the national law firm of Ropers, Majeski, Kohn & Bentley’s San Jose office specializing in complex litigation. He has earned the highest possible rating for legal ability/competence and professional ethics from Martindale-Hubbell.
Barber has practiced law in the greater Bay Area for over 40 years, specializing in trial work and civil litigation, including the areas of business and real estate, personal injury and property damage, employment and labor law, products liability and warranty, insurance law, construction contract and defect, contract/UCC, and indemnification contracts.
He is leading the JRG litigation department comprised of seven experienced attorneys, two of which are senior litigators, Bob Rosenthal and David Balch. Rosenthal has himself been a litigator for over 40 years and is well known for his $12.6 million victory over Toyota in 2014 in the case of Hill v Toyota.
The firm looks forward to the federal and state experience that Barber brings with him.
Rosenthal stated: “There are very few litigation attorneys in the state with the broad litigation experience and success that Steve has enjoyed. Steve has a talent and true passion for the law, we are excited that he has chosen to join our firm, bringing his practice and experience to Monterey County.”
During Barber’s years as a civil trial attorney, he has tried nearly 100 cases in 17 California counties and the United States District Courts in California. His trials have involved claims against product manufacturers and installers, personal injury for plaintiffs and defendants, real property disputes, insurance contract and bad faith claims against insurance companies, and commercial contracts. He has also represented clients in various arbitration and government agency administrative proceedings. As a result of his experience in the courtroom and reputation, he has successfully obtained numerous judgments and settlements in favor of his clients. Barber has achieved the highest possible ratings that can be given by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the premier source for finding and researching attorneys.
In addition to his trial court work, Barber has handled numerous appeals in the California Supreme Court, all of the California District Courts of Appeal, and the Federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has prepared and presented briefs and oral argument in various courts of appeal approximately 15 times and has three published appellate decisions.
JRG founding partner Jeff R. Gilles stated, “Our firm’s goal is to exceed our client’s expectations and to provide each client with solutions to their legal issues. Steve’s addition allow us to provide our clients with the most complete and varied legal representation they may require, all within one firm.”